Nantang is also vying for the Jingjiu Railway line. The eastern route runs from Puxing through Liyang, Guqing, and Huai Shan. The northern six counties of the Liyang region will cover three counties, while the southern seven counties will only pass through Huai Shan. The western route runs from Yingling through Dayuan, Fengzhou, and Nantang. Apart from Yingling, which belongs to the northern six counties, Dayuan, Fengzhou, and Nantang all belong to the economically underdeveloped southern seven counties.
However, everyone is not very optimistic about the western route. After all, the economies of Dayuan, Fengzhou, and Nantang are far behind those of Puxing, Liyang, and Guqing. Puxing has abundant coal resources, Liyang is the seat of the regional government, and Guqing has rich limestone and phosphate ore resources. All three counties have a certain industrial foundation, such as Puxing's thermal power plant, Liyang's light textile industry, and Guqing's building materials industry, which have developed rapidly. This is also the reason why the eastern route counties are so confident.
"Hmm, after more than a decade of reform and opening up, the economic development of the coastal areas has been very rapid, but many places in the central and western inland regions have not even solved the problem of food and clothing. Some areas do not even have roads or electricity. This huge disparity has led to some doubts about the central government's poverty alleviation policies. Many experts and scholars have proposed that for old, less-developed, and poor areas, it is not enough to just provide some funds or policies; instead, we should consider enhancing their self-sustaining capabilities. To develop these areas, a key factor is to improve their infrastructure, and railway construction is undoubtedly a core element. I have reviewed some of the central government's policies on poverty alleviation in recent years and the suggestions of domestic and foreign experts in this area, and I believe the central government is also making conscious adjustments in this regard."
Lu Weimin recalled the process of the route competition for the Jingjiu Railway while carefully choosing his words. The Jingjiu Railway began construction in the first half of 1993, which means that the curtain on the Jingjiu Railway construction will be raised in just over two years. During this period, the route must be determined. If Nantang wants to secure the Jingjiu Railway, the western route plan must be realized.
"Have you collected materials on this?" Shen Zili was increasingly shocked. Lu Weimin's insights were already quite impressive to him. In his view, a university graduate having such profound political insights far exceeded his expectations. Even if he had studied and practiced in the forefront of reform and opening up in Lingnan, it would be hard to believe. Today, hearing Lu Weimin say he had proactively collected materials on the central government's adjustments in poverty alleviation policies gave him a deeper understanding of Lu Weimin.
"Yes, Secretary Shen, when I arrived at the county office, I heard about the competition between the eastern and western routes of the Jingjiu Railway. I thought about how we in Nantang could work to secure the Jingjiu Railway. I considered how to leverage our strengths and avoid our weaknesses. I thought you might need this information, so I spent some time gathering and organizing the materials."
Lu Weimin was very candid. The construction of the Jingjiu Railway would be a major event in the Liyang region in the coming years. The completion of the Jingjiu Railway would indeed bring significant opportunities for the development of the Liyang region. However, in his previous life, the main beneficiaries were the Liyang region, while the Fengzhou region, which later formed the southern seven counties, was left behind. The development of the Liyang region even diverted many potential investments that might have gone to Fengzhou, widening the gap between Fengzhou and Liyang.
Therefore, he started working on this as soon as he arrived at the county office. To win the trust and respect of the leadership, you need to stand higher and see further, and to do that, you need to put in more effort.
"Alright, bring me the materials you mentioned tomorrow. This matter still needs to be decided by Secretary An and County Chief Wang. Of course, I believe that every Nantang cadre and citizen is united in this regard." Shen Zili was both surprised and very satisfied. His gaze towards Lu Weimin became more affectionate and appreciative.
"Lu, your thinking is very thorough, and your consideration of issues is far-sighted and comprehensive. That's very good. In a couple of days, I plan to visit some towns in the southern four districts of the county. Prepare yourself. After we finish, I will give you a test: how can a purely agricultural county like Nantang achieve economic development? Discuss this from both long-term strategy and short-term tactics. Don't hold back; express your thoughts and intentions freely, even if they are immature or inappropriate. What we lack now is broad thinking and perspectives. Perhaps your studies and practical experience in Lingnan have greatly influenced your thinking. I find your ideas very broad, and maybe your views can bring some new ideas and perspectives to Nantang's economic development."
Shen Zili's words surprised Lu Weimin. A test?
This sounded rather unusual. He was just a small secretary, and the other party was giving him such a serious test. Lu Weimin guessed that his performance over the past period must have really impressed the other party, leading to this extraordinary examination.
The development path of a purely agricultural county, this test was no small matter. Perhaps Shen Zili really had the ambition to achieve something significant. Without the kiwi fruit incident, he might have realized his aspirations. Unfortunately, the kiwi fruit incident, whose responsibility is unclear, ruined many people's political careers.
But now that he was here, everything would be different. A crisis might turn into an opportunity.
Getting out of the jeep, Lu Weimin had an indescribable feeling.
It was still the same dilapidated building, with the red paint on the iron gate peeling off. A black Jialing 70 belonged to the township finance office, and a red Jianzhu 80 was the main vehicle of the water station.
The signs of the Dongpo Township Committee and the Dongpo Township Government hung on both sides of the gate, looking like a disheveled rural woman, with the red letters faded and the black letters gray, giving a sense of lethargy.
The two familiar figures running to greet him were also familiar: Township Party Secretary Zhang Huai'an and Township Chief Niu Shengzhong. During those three years, he had been picked on by Niu Shengzhong many times, and the conflicts between Zhang Huai'an and Niu Shengzhong made him, a university graduate assigned to the party and government office, their punching bag and scapegoat.
Twenty-one years ago, he started his work here, in this remote township government, where he stayed for three years. Those three years were the most difficult period of his life: his love life failed, his career was unfulfilled, his life was monotonous, and his mood was gloomy. Several times, Lu Weimin wanted to resign and leave, even contacting Huang Shaocheng in Lingnan, but he never had the courage to take that step.
No more words, brothers, give me your votes, and develop the habit of voting!